Toyota Highlander (2014) vs. Chevrolet Malibu (2015) Specs

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2014 Toyota Highlander and 2015 Chevrolet Malibu Specifications

Model Year	2014	2015
Model	Toyota Highlander	Chevrolet Malibu
Engine	3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 270 hp@6200 248 lb-ft@4700	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000
Transmission	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD
Body	4dr SUV	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	109.8 in	107.8 in	2 in
Length	191.1 in	191.5 in	-0.4 in
Width	75.8 in	73.0 in	2.8 in
Height	68.1 in	57.6 in	10.5 in
Curb Weight	4233 lb.	3635 lb.	598 lb.
Fuel Capacity	19.2 gal.	18.5 gal.	0.7 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	40.7 in	39.0 in	1.7 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	59.3 in	57.5 in	1.8 in
Hip Room, Row 1	57.2 in	55.0 in	2.2 in
Legroom, Row 1	44.2 in	42.1 in	2.1 in
Headroom, Row 2	39.9 in	37.5 in	2.4 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	59.6 in	57.1 in	2.5 in
Hip Room, Row 2	57.1 in	54.3 in	2.8 in
Legroom, Row 2	38.4 in	36.8 in	1.6 in
Headroom, Row 3	35.9 in	0.0 in	35.9 in
Shoulder Room, Row 3	55.0 in	0.0 in	55 in
Hip Room, Row 3	45.6 in	0.0 in	45.6 in
Legroom, Row 3	27.7 in	0.0 in	27.7 in
Total Legroom	110.3 in (over 3 rows)	78.9 in (over 2 rows)	31.4 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	13.8 ft³	16.3 ft³	-2.5 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind R2	42.3 ft³	16.3	26 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	83.7 ft³	16.3 ft³	67.4 ft³

2014 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
	Toyota replaced the 2013 Highlander's rear struts with control arms to enable a three-inch-wider third-row seat, and then used the extra space to cram in a third seating position. So if you need seats for eight people, only the Highlander will do in this threesome. A top-of-the-line Santa Fe only seats six. Other eight-pass options include the Honda Pilot and GM's large crossovers. But those three people best be small, as the Highlander doesn't have nearly as much rear legroom as the Pathfinder or the Santa Fe. To fit children of even middling size in the third row it's necessary to slide the second row well forward. The second row seat cushion is mounted too low for adult comfort. The Nissan's second row suffers from a similar shortcoming, but the Hyundai's does not. see full Toyota Highlander review

2014 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Perfect for two car seats. Really neat trick - the middle seat for the 2nd row rolls up into the center console. I did not remove it nor attempt to sit in it but that does make the 3rd row more likely to be used for those with car seats. I did not attempt to sit in the 3rd row (looked at it before folding into the floor for cargo space for the entire trip) so cannot opine on it. Use at your own risk. see full Toyota Highlander review

2015 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2016	Chevrolet's designers styled the new Malibu's instrument panel to appear low and out of the way, such that the front seat feels especially roomy and the view forward seems more open than in most competitors, including the Kia (the instrument panel in which seems significantly higher and more imposing). In the tested car, which had every option except the panoramic sunroof, headroom was so abundant I could have worn a fedora. The Kia Optima might have as much front headroom when similarly without a sunroof. The official specs, which often don't reflect real world differences, suggest it should have even more than the Malibu. But you cannot get a highly equipped Optima without the sunroof, as it's part of a large package on the SX and standard on the SX Limited. Though the Malibu's windshield is relatively large, you won't find outward visibility among the reasons to buy one. The Chevrolet's front pillars remain on the thick side, its instrument panel is considerably deeper than the Kia's, and the view to the sides and rear also could be more open. In the Optima, the view to the sides is more open but that to the rear is not. I did find the Cherolet's front seats more form-fitting and comfortable than the Optima's. The Kia's quilted seats aren't as cushy as they appear. see full Chevrolet Malibu review

2015 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2014	4dr Sedan 196-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Both front & rear compartments very roomy & comfortable. Again, this is noted improvement over our 2009 Malibu. see full Chevrolet Malibu review

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